Who does the healing?

Who does the healing? That seems straightforward at first – it’s God – but what did Jesus say?

Matthew 10:7-8 (NKJV) And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Who did he say was to preach the gospel? His disciples.
Who did he say was to heal the sick? His disciples.
Who did he say was to cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons? His disciples.
Did he say to pray for them, that God would heal them? It doesn’t appear so.

Really?

Mark 16:15-18 (NIV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Yes, really.

So how did they do this? Did they pray? Yes, sometimes they prayed for God to heal. But other times, they commanded healing to come. Look at the healings in the book of Acts, like this one:

Acts 3:4-8 (NLT) Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

By using Jesus’ name they healed others the same way Jesus healed others – by giving a command of faith.

How do we practice healing? There are many biblical ways
- anointing with oil
- prayer of agreement
- prayer of faith
- laying on hands

But don’t leave out healing the way Jesus did – by the command of faith. You’re a believer, believe that signs follow you. You do the healing.

Doug